Joint Pain: Is Low Testosterone the Cause?

When you hear the term “joint pain,” you may think of arthritis. Arthritis can cause both pain and swelling, or inflammation, in joints, which are the areas where bones in the body meet.

Arthritis isn’t the only possible cause of chronic pain. Hormonal imbalances may also contribute to joint pain. These imbalances sometimes occur in people with low testosterone, often called “low T.” Ask your doctor for an evaluation to determine whether your pain is associated with low T, arthritis, or an unrelated medical condition.

Low T develops when testosterone levels decrease in the body. This sex hormone is the primary one of its kind in the male body. According to the Hormone Health Network, low testosterone may be diagnosed if your testosterone level is less than 300 nanograms per deciliter (ng/dL) of blood. While the natural aging process can lead to gradual drops in testosterone, it’s not normal to experience a significant decrease over a short period.

Some of the most common symptoms of low T include:

excessive fatigue

a loss of sex drive

infertility

anxiety

depression

breast enlargement

weight gain

In addition to its role in the male reproductive system, testosterone also helps maintain bone health.

Arthritis is known for joint pain, but it comes in different forms with varying causes. The two main forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). RA is an autoimmune disease. OA develops over time due to wear and tear on your joints. While it’s possible to have low T and arthritis at the same time, testosterone problems are unlikely to cause RA. If your low T leads to excessive weight gain, you may be at a higher risk of developing OA.

When pain occurs due to excessive weight gain, you may experience it at any point where your bones meet. Joint pain is most likely to occur in the knees, hips, and back. Some people who have arthritis also have pain in their toes, wrists, and fingers.

One of the long-term risks of low T is osteoporosis. Unlike arthritis, osteoporosis is a disease in which your bones become fragile. Testosterone maintains bone density, so low T may contribute to osteoporosis.

Maintaining bone density is important for preventing the loss of bone mass and subsequent fractures. Unlike joint pain, osteoporosis pain typically only occurs when you develop bone fractures. You may also experience back pain due to weakened vertebrae. Recovering from fractures can be painful. While this can feel similar to joint pain, osteoporosis pain isn’t the same as arthritis.

Testosterone replacement therapy is the most common treatment for low T. Depending on your prescription, you may take testosterone orally or use it topically as a patch or gel. Hormone therapy helps improve low sex drive and energy, and can increase bone density. Over time, you may find it easier to manage your weight and take pressure off of achy joints. These treatments aren’t without risk. Men with a history of prostate cancer should avoid them.

While low T treatments may help improve bone density and weight management, they won’t alleviate joint pain on the spot. If you experience regular joint pain, you need separate treatment. Acetaminophen and ibuprofen are among the most common over-the-counter pain relievers, and they also come in prescription strength. Regular exercise, though difficult at first, can go a long way in preventing future joint pain.

Joint pain and low T aren’t necessarily related, but it’s possible to have both at once. Men who are obese are also at a greater risk of developing OA from excess pressure on the joints.

Low T therapies are unlikely to alleviate joint pain on their own. Feeling better usually involves treating both joint pain and low T. See your doctor on a regular basis to make sure you’re getting the right treatments so you can move in comfort.